Eryngium ovinum

Blue Devil

The genus Eryngium has approximately 230 species in tropical and temperate
parts of the world, but only four or five are endemic to Australia. Eryngium is a member of the Apiaceae family, the carrot and the Australian Flannel Flower
(Actinotus helianthi) being familiar members of the same family.

In
Australia, E. ovinum is widespread throughout temperate woodlands and
grasslands and can be seen growing naturally around Canberra.

Eryngium ovinum is a perennial herb, which dies down during autumn and
emerges in late winter to flower in summer. In July or August (in Canberra)
the plant develops a rosette of narrow, spiny, divided leaves which have a waxy
appearance. By mid summer the flowering stems extend to 60 cm and a mass of
crowded bright blue flowers is produced with long, spiky bracts to 2.5 cm in globular, thistle-like heads on rigid branched stems. The stems
and bracts are a metallic blue and, together with its 'spiky' look give rise
to its common name, Blue Devil.

The terminal flower heads open first; below them are the side branches which
open next and flowers on the side branches appear until all flowers are open.
Each flower lasts several weeks, giving the plant an impressive display of colour.

Eryngium ovinum has long been neglected as a garden plant and its full
potential has not been realised. It could be ideally used as a rockery plant
in an open, sunny position, both for its colour and dramatic form.

The Blue Devil is relatively long lived with some plants thriving at the Australian
National Botanic Gardens for ten years or more. They are easily grown from seed,
sown in punnets in early December and planted out in April to allow their fleshy
taproots to develop to sustain them when they die down during the winter months.

Most soils seem to be suitable provided they are well drained, but a sunny
position is essential. No pests or diseases have been noticed and the plant
is frost hardy.

The flowering stems can be cut to the base and used as fresh flowers or dried
floral arrangements. Their colour and texture make interesting and attractive
displays.

Text by Nora Ollerenshaw, ANBG (1981)

Name meaning: Eryngium ovinum

Eryngium - after the ancient Greco-Latin name for a similar
plant commonly called Sea Holly;

ovinum - from Latin, referring to sheep, but the allusion is
not clear.